Medical Science Liaison Rare Disease META+

About AstraZeneca and the Role

AstraZeneca is expanding its presence in rare diseases following the acquisition of Alexion in 2021. Rare diseases represent a high-growth therapeutic area with ongoing innovation and significant unmet medical needs. This full-time position for a Medical Science Liaison - Rare Disease META+ is based in Jeddah, Western Region, KSA, and requires 2-5 years of experience.

Role Overview

The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) for Rare Disease plays a role in integrating scientific capabilities to introduce new therapies in rare disease settings into clinical practice. This position is part of the Medical Affairs team and reports to the Medical Manager Rare Disease. The MSL provides medical and scientific support to healthcare professionals (HCPs) regarding the use of medicines within AstraZeneca's rare disease portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and cultivate relationships with HCPs, including physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, pharmacists, and patient advocacy groups.
• Conduct educational programs on disease states and the appropriate use of medicines, aligned with Medical Affairs plans.
• Respond to customer inquiries by providing focused clinical and scientific information.
• Deliver clinical and scientific information to support appropriate medicine use in a patient-focused manner.
• Maintain expertise in disease state management and stay informed on emerging therapies and the therapeutic landscape.
• Gather customer insights regarding medicine use to inform medical and commercial strategies, adhering to internal standards and regulatory requirements.
• Provide internal stakeholders with insights into the local medical community, clinical practice trends, HCP insights, and perceived gaps in scientific knowledge.
• Share emerging data with HCPs in a scientific, objective, and balanced manner.
• Identify and develop scientifically based relationships with Key External Experts (KEEs) in the Saudi Arabia market.
• Collaborate with HCPs on scientific activities such as clinical trials, Non-Interventional Studies, Investigator Sponsored Studies (ISSs), and scientific exchange.
• Identify and train speakers for local events and provide recommendations for advisory board participants.
• Present scientific data to HCPs in both group and one-on-one settings.
• Facilitate continuing medical education events for HCPs.
• Provide actionable insights to internal stakeholders to enhance the value and appropriate use of AstraZeneca products.
• Engage in strategic planning meetings with payer customers or hospital decision-makers, ensuring separation of scientific topics from promotional discussions.
• Demonstrate and continuously update expertise in AstraZeneca products, emerging therapies, competitors, patient and treatment trends, clinical trials, and scientific activities within the disease area.
• Support the Medical Manager and Marketing Team in developing non-promotional and promotional materials/programs.
• Provide scientific support at AstraZeneca-sponsored educational events.
• Gather, monitor, and share competitor knowledge.
• Plan and execute regional medical activities during product launch processes.
• Serve as a medical resource for sales representatives, answering medical questions to support their use of approved materials and understanding of the therapeutic area.
• Participate in, develop, and conduct therapeutic area and product trainings for internal customers.
• Respond to unsolicited requests for information about unapproved products or uses, presenting information objectively and factually.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Medicine, Pharmacy, or Pharmacology.
• 3 or more years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry or equivalent.
• Experience in rare disease or oncology therapeutic areas is an advantage.
• Demonstrated expertise in synthesizing scientific information and communicating it effectively to HCPs.
• Direct patient care experience or equivalent experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

Required Skills

• Excellent ability to learn and grasp scientific concepts and knowledge.
• Strong presentation skills for communicating medical data and concepts.
• Proficiency in computer skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Excellent project management capabilities.
• Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Leadership capabilities with the ability to work independently.